My City March 2023

W ith his lengthy beard, buzz cut hairstyle, intense facial expressions and all-around passionate nature, Ron Roberts is hard to miss. The Goodrich Girls Powerlift ing coach tends to stand out during competitions while standing behind his athletes, simultaneously serving as spotter, mentor and vocal encourager while they attempt to better their personal bests, reach medal podiums and collect honors. "I tell them the two most import ant things are to have fun and enjoy the pain," he says. "Most girls are amazed by what powerlifting does for them – like instilling confidence, improving their overall focus and helping them improve academically. Every year, several girls on the team are straight-A students." Roberts has been guiding the Martians for nine years and produc ing state and national champions. Countless other Goodrich lifters have qualified for and participated in those competitions. "I've had the pleasure of watching them transform from the time they join the team," says Roberts, who is assisted by former Goodrich state qualifier Michaela Sardo. "Sometimes, I'll come into practice and catch them flexing. They all seem to appreciate the connections and friendships they make through the sport as well, which has been wonderful to see.” Roberts and his squad are in the midst of another satisfying season which will culminate at the USA Powerlifting High School National Championships March 30-April 2 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Evelyn Edenburn, a junior, is headed there for a second straight year, determined to add a varsity national championship to the junior

varsity title she captured in 2022. As of February 16, Edenburn was the lone Genesee County lifter and one of only 12 from Michigan who had qualified to compete in the varsity division. She secured a place in the nation al championship field in spectacular fashion by winning the 100-kilogram (220 pounds) division at a qualifier

COACH ROBERTS HAS TAKEN LIFTERS TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MOST YEARS OF HIS TENURE, WHICH BEGAN IN 2014.

meet Goodrich hosted on January 21. Edenburn began by squatting 365 pounds before bench-pressing 165. Both marks are state records for her division. She equaled her best-ever deadlift with a 375-pound effort for a total of 903 pounds, surpassing her previous best total score by nearly 50 pounds. Edenburn’s total was also the best overall among females in the compe tition, not just her division. The only current Genesee County lifter with a higher personal best is Flushing senior, Joanna Stockton. “I was super excited to get over 900 pounds after really working hard to get there,” Edenburn says. “I was progressing toward it and was confident in myself going into the

qualifying meet at our school. It was a very special moment, kind of over whelming even, and I know I made my coach proud.” Indeed, she did. Roberts was also confident Eden burn would break the 900-pound barrier after watching her win a second straight state USAPL cham pionship in November.

57